In response to continuous service cuts due to mounting deficits at Children’s Mental Health Services, the agency’s front line workers will hold a ‘Stop the Cuts’ rally on Wednesday, November 27, to highlight the impact of these service cuts that hurt children and families in Belleville, as well as Hastings and Prince Edward counties, said the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 60 social workers who provide community services for children with mental health issues.
“We are here to tell the board of directors, who are having their meeting today, that management’s decision to cut services is having a severe impact on the quality of care provided to children dealing with mental health issues,” said Mark Saville, spokesperson for CUPE 3314.3. “Closing the residence on weekends, cutting front line staff positions, and reducing staff training, are not the way to enhance service delivery and continuous care for children and their families.”
Who? Front line workers from Children’s Mental Health Services and their supporters
What? Stop the Cuts at Children’s Mental Health Services rally
When? Wednesday, November 27, 2013 – 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Where? Children’s Mental Health Services, 3 Applewood Drive, Belleville
Facing a deficit of $30,000 for the current year and a projected deficit of $140,000 for the 2015 fiscal year, management at the agency has continued to cut services, including the closing of the residence on weekends, resulting in the loss of 104 residential treatment days for children suffering from mental health problems. “We want this board to be fully aware of the magnitude and impact of their decisions to deny services to children in great need – they should know that mental health does not take the weekend off,” continued Saville. “We want the board and management to work with us to lobby the Liberal government to fund our agency adequately.”
CUPE 3314.3 represents 60 social service workers who provide community services, including individual and family therapy, treatment and prevention programs, crisis counselling, case consultation services, intensive in-home services, community development and education and after-hours crisis care, and other services for children with mental health issues.
For further information, please contact:
Mark Saville, Spokesperson for CUPE 3314.3, 613-848-8654
Cheri Dobbs, CUPE National Representative, 613-542-2069
James Chai, CUPE Communications, 905-739-3999